Louis George Zeller

Louis ‘Lou’ George Zeller, 87, peacefully passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021 in Hilton Head, SC. Born in Chicago, Illinois, June 13,1934 he was the son of Louis & Evelyn (Giordano) Zeller. Lou was a devoted, loving husband and best friend to Joyce during 65 years of marriage. 

Lou was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, and Spring Hill Jesuit College in Mobile, Alabama. After college he served 2 years in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, and then returned to Chicago to begin a highly accomplished 37 year career with the 3M company leading Sales and Marketing.

A natural athlete, Lou was both an avid tennis player and golfer. Over the years he took the opportunity to play almost all of the top 100 golf courses in the country, including Pine Valley and was a former President of the Moss Creek Golf Club.  A devout Catholic, he was a Parishioner of St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church for 22 years, and a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member since the 1960’s.

In addition to his wife, Lou is survived by his son Kevin Zeller, daughter-in-law Marianne Zeller and their children, Emma and Julia in Morristown, NJ; daughter Karen Moore, son-in-law Tom Moore and their children Madison and Sierra in Bluffton, SC; daughter Kimberly Goodwin, son-in-law Grady and their children Bella, Jack and Cooper in Basking Ridge, NJ.

He was known to his grandchildren as "Grandpa Louie" and they were his proudest accomplishment. He taught them in the same way he taught his children and many friends to play golf and tennis - with patience, encouragement and his favorite lines "you have no idea how good you’re getting" and "take your time, I have nowhere to be but here". He was a friend to all and when first meeting him you would often be greeted with one of his favorite sayings: "I'm so happy you got to meet me" accompanied by his big smile. Our lives will never be the same without him and we will miss him asking us everyday when we're coming to visit, even if we'd just left. We will forever endeavor to make others feel as loved as he made all of us feel everyday.

Services will be for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Tee of The Lowcountry in memory of Lou Zeller, PO Box 23334, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925.

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